Operating alternating-current relays



Aug. 19, 1924. 1,505,275

. J. MILLS OPERATING ALTERNATING CURRENT RELAYS Filed July 20. 1921 vvvw 7 LE m ver? fem dab/7 MW/s Patented Aug. 19 1924.

JOHN MILLS, OF WYOMING, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO WESTERN ELECTRIC COM TPANY, INCORPORATED, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

OPERATING ALTERNATING-CURRENT RELAYS.

Application filed July 20, 1921.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J OHN MILLs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Wyoming, in the county of Essex, State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Operating Alternating-Current Relays, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description.

This invention relates to distinguishing between opposite directions of energy flow, especially in alternating current energy flow in electric circuits, and to repeating current waves.

The invention aims to provide for operating relays, especially alternating current relays, in accordance with the direction of energy flow in a circuit to which they are connected, and further, aims to accomplish this result in circuits carrying complex current waves without disturbing the phase relations of the various frequencies of the complex waves.

It is an object of the invention to utilize such relay operation for controlling electric circuits as for instance, for controlling the pointing of a repeater or the transmission efficiency of the repeater.

In accordance with the invention relays are caused to distinguish between opposite directions of energy flow in a line preferably by inserting an attenuating network in, the line and providing a relay winding at one end of the attenuating network tending to operate contacts in such a way as to result in one circuit condition and a relay wind ing at the other end of the attenuating network tending to operate the contacts in such a way as to result in another circuit condition. The attenuating net work is designed to attenuate the energy suficicntly to insure that the winding at that end of the network remote from the energy source is overpowered by the other winding.

in applying the invention to the reversal of the pointing of a telephone repeater, an attenuating network with the accompanying relay windings is connected in the line at one side, say the West. side, of the repeater, and another network with'its'accompanying relay windings is connected in the line at the other side, say the east side, of the repeater. Voice currents approaching the repeater from the west aifect the windings connected to the attenuating network at the Serial No. 486,040.

west side of the repeater in such a way as to cause a repeater reversing switch to point the repeater east, and the voice currents transmitted through the repeater aflect the relay windings connected to the network on the output side, or east side, of the repeater in such a way as to allow the repeater reversing switch to maintain the pointing ofthe repeater. For transmission west the operation of the voice relays and of the repeater reversing switch is reversed.

The single figure of the accompanying drawing shows the invention as embodied in a two-way repeating system employing a one-way repeater.

Referring to the drawing, a line LW and a line LE are connected thru a repeater R which'is adapted to be pointed in one direction or the other by reversing switch blades 1, 2, 3 and 4 operated by magnets 5, 6, 7 and 8. When switch blades 1 and 2 are up, as shown in Fig. 1, the line LW is connected to the input electrodes of the repeater; and when blades 1 and 2 are down the line LlV is connected to the output electrodes of the repeater. When blades 3 and at are up the line LE is connected to output electrodes of the repeater; and when blades 3 and 4. are down the line LE is connected to the input electrodes of the repeater. Blades 1, 2, 8 and 4 are preferably frictionally held in any position to which they have been operated until they are operated to another position by magnets 5, 6, 7 and 8.

Magnets 5, 6, 7 and 8 are energized from source 10 and are controlled by switch blades 11 and 12 which are operated by voice relay windings 15, 16, 17' and 18.

Attenuating net works or artificial line sections 21 and 22 are connected in lines LVV and LE respectively. Winding 15 is energized from energy appearing in line LE at that end of network 21 which is electrically remote from repeater R, the winding 15 preferably being included in circuit with the secondary winding of a transformer 25, the primary winding of which is included in line LWV at the end of network 21 remote from the repeater. /Vinding 16 is energized by energy appearing in line LlV between network 21 and the repeater, preferably by means of transformer 26. Winding 17 is energized from transformer 27 having its primary winding connected between the repeater and the network 22; and winding 18 is energized from transformer 28 havin its primary winding connected to line L at the end of network 22 remote from the repeater.

The operation of the system will now be described. Supposing that transmission from line LW to line LE is taking place. The blades 1, 2, 3 and 4 will then be in the up position, as shown in the drawing, and voice currents from the west pass through the primary winding of transformer 25 and are attenuated by the network 21 and transmitted through the primal winding of transformer 26, blades 1 an 2, and leads and 31 to the primary winding of the input transformer 32 of the repeater R. Currents are thus induced in the secondary winding of transformer 32, and these currents are amplified by the repeater and transmitted through the output transforn'ier 33 of the repeater, leads 34 and 35, blades 3 and 4 and the primary winding of transformer 27, and are attenuated by the net work 22 and passed on through the primary winding of transformer 28 to line LE. Due to the attenuating effect of network 21, the Winding 16 will be overpowered by the winding 15 and blade 11 will therefore close a circuit n for energizing windings 5 and "T in parallel. This circuit is from battery 10 through lead 36, blade 11, lead 3?, windings 5 and 7 in parallel, and lead 38 back to battery 10. Thus, blades 1, 2, 3 and a will be maintained in the upper position by wind-- ings 5 and 7 as well as by friction. The windings 6 and 8 will not be energized at this time; for due to the attenuating effect of network 22 winding 18 will be overpowered by winding 17 and blade 12 will therefore be operated toward the left.

If now, voice currents originate in the line east of the repeater R, they will pass through the primary winding of transforzner 28 and be attenuated by network and transmitted through the primary windiijig of transformer 27, blades 3 and 4, leads 31 and and the primary winding of trans former 33. Due to the attenuating effect of network 22 winding 17 will be overpowered by winding 18 and blade 12 will therefore close a circuit for energizing windings 6 and 8 in parallel. This circuit is from battery 10 through lead 40, blade 12, lead ll, windings 6 and 8 in parallel, back to battery 10. Blades 1, 2, 3 and i will thereupon be operated to their lower positions by windin'gs 6 and 8, blades 3 and 4 shifting the terminals of line LE from the output transformer 33 of the repeater R to the input transformer 32 of the repeater, and blades 1 and 2 shifting the terminals of line LVV from the input transformer 32 to the output transformer 33. The currents from line LE will then be transmitted through the re peater and will pass through the primary winding of transformer 26, and be attenuated by network 21 and then transmitted through the primar winding of transformer 25 and the line W. Due to the attenuating effect of network 21, winding 15 will be overpowered by winding 16, and blade 11 will therefore be moved to the right, and consequently the circuits of windings 5 and 7 will remain open.

The mode of operation of the system to again point the repeater east when voice currents originate at the west of the repeater will be obvious from the foregoing descripl tion of the reversal of the repeater pointing.

It should be understood, of course, that the system is not limited to operation with currents of voice frequencies, and that the invention is also applicable to any ringing frequencies and to alternating currents in general, regardless of frequency.

The repeater R is preferably of the wellknown vacuum tube type but any other suit able type, as for instance electromagnetic energy amplifying repeaters, which are of course well known in the art, may be used if desired.

Similarly, the specific form of attenuating networks indicated in the drawing is merely illustrative, and any suitable type of attenuating network or artificial line maybe used. These networks need not. necessarily be pure resistance lines, but may be, for instance, loaded lines. However, the use of pure resistance networks has the important advantage of maintaining the same phase relations for all the frequencies of the complex current wave which may be transmitted through the networks. The construction of such a network or resistance is also much less expensive than that of a line or network which would be suitable for use in distinguishing between opposite directions of energy flow by virtue of )llZtSQ shift or time lag. The energy loss due to transmission through the inserted attenuating networks or line sections may be compensated for by increased repeater gain or by the introduction of an additional repeater.

It is of course not necessary that the mag nets 15, 16, 17 and 18 be energized by means of transformers having their primary wind ings in series in lines Lid and LE as shown. These magnets may be connected to theselines at the desired points in any suitable manner.

What is claimed is:

1. A line for transniiitting electrical energy in opposite directions, means connected to said line between two spaced points in said line for producing a difference between a characteristic of said energy passing one of said points and said characteristic of said energy passing the other of said ltili points, and a relay s0 connected to said line and said means as to be responsive to each of said opposite directions of flow of said energy in said line in accordance with the direction of flow.

2. A line, a unidirectionally transmitting repeater, switching means for reversing the repeater in the line, relay means for controlling said switching means, and a network connected t said relay means and to said line for rendering said relay means selectively responsive to opposite directions of energy fiow in said line regardless of impedance unbalance between the network and the line.

3. A line for transmitting alternating current energy in opposite directions, an impedance network for attenuating said alternating current connected to said line, and alternating current relays selectively responsive in accordance with the direction of flow of said alternating current energy through said network for distinguishing between opposite directions of flow of said alternating current energy in said line.

4. A line, a unidirectional current transmitting device, switching means for connecting said device in said line, relay means for controlling said switching means, and a network connected to said relay means and to said line for rendering said relay means selectively responsive to opposite directions of energy flow in said line regardless of impedance unbalance between the network and the line.

5. A line for transmitting electrical energy in opposite directions, and means for distinguishing between opposite directions of the flow of said energy in said line, said means comprising means connected to said line for altering between two spaced points in said line a characteristic of said energy flow, and also comprising two difierentiallyacting means, one of said last-mentioned means being connected to receive energy from said line at one of said points and the other of said last-mentioned means being connected to receive energy from said line at said other point.

'6. The method of distinguishing between opposite directions of electrical energy flow in a line which comprises altering a characteristic. of said energy flow between two spaced points in said line in a manner de pendent upon the direction of said energy flow and balancing energy derived from said line at one of said points in said line against energy derived from said line at said other point in said line.

7. A line for transmitting the energy oi complex alternating current waves in opposite directions, and means for distinguishing between opposite directions of the flow of said energyin said line, said means comprising means connected to said line between two spaced points in said line for altering a characteristic oi said energy flow without disturbing the phase relations of the various frequencies of the complex waves, and also comprising two differentially-acting means, one of said last-men tioned means being connected to said line to derive energy therefrom atone of said two points in said line and the other of said last-mentioned means being connected to said line to derive energy therefrom at said other point in said line.

8. The method of distinguishing between opposite directions of flow of the energy or. complex alternating currents in a line, which comprises altering a characteristic of said energ r flow between two spaced points in said line in a manner dependent upon the direction of said energy flow without disturbing the phase relations of the various frequencies of said complex currents, and balancing energy derived from said line at one of said points in said line against energy derived from said line at said other point in said line.

9. A line for transmitting electrical energy in opposite directions, and means for distinguishing between opposite directions of the flow of said energy in said line, said means comprising an impedance connected in said line for attenuating said energy, and also comprising two differentially-acting means connected to said line for deriving energy from said line at points on opposite sides of'said' impedance.

10. A line, and means for distinguishing between opposite directions of electrical energy ilow in said line, said means comprising an attenuating line section inserted in said line, a winding connected at said line at one end of said attenuating line section, a winding connected to said line at the other end end of said attenuating line section, and means diflierentially acted upon by said windings for indicating the relative degree of energization of said windings.

11. A two-way repeating system comprising a line, a oneway repeater connected in said line, relay means connected to said line at one side only of said repeater and operating upon flow of alternating current energy in either direction in said line for distinguishing between opposite directions.

of electrical energy flow in said line, and electromagnetic switching means controlled by said first-mentioned means for controlling the pointing of said repeater.

12. A line, unidirectional current transmitting device connected therein, relay means connected to said line at one side only of said repeater and operating upon flow of alternating current energy in either direction over said line for distinguishing between opposite directions of electrical energy flow in said line, and electromagnetic llU .swftehing means controlled by said first.- nn-antioned means for controlling the pointing of said "iii-rent transmitting device.

33. A line, a unidirectional currr-ent transmitting device cmmected therein, means connected to said line at one side only of s l device for distinguishing between opposite directions of electrical energy flow in said line, and means controlled by said fil'fit-Il'jBiltiOllOd means for controlling the pointing of said device i l. A, line for transmitting alternating current energy in opposite directions, a reter adaptcd to be connected therein, a comn'lsing an armature, stationary onnected to said line and to said ll i eansing said relay to tend to operate ft'v armature in opposite directions in a: ice with the direction of alternatin cur-rein: cne gv flow in said line, and

r controlle relay for coniv u by saio. trolling the connection of said repeater in said. line,

15. A line for transmitting alternating current energy, a repeater adapted to be connected. in said line, an impedance con nected in said line for attenuating said enorgy, and means connected to said line at points at opposite sides of said impedance for controlling the connection of said re peater in said line in a manner dependent upon the sign of the difference between the energy passing through said line at one of said points and the energy passing through said line at the other of said points.

16, The method of operating a unidirectional alternating current transmitting repeater circuit; in a l ne, which comprises altering a characteristic of the energy of said alternating current between two spaced points in a portion of said line exclusive of said circuit in accordance with the direction of the flow of said energy in said line, and controlling the pointing of said unidirectionally transn'iitting device in said line in accordance with the difference between the energy passing through said line at one of said points and the energy passing through said line at the other of said points.

17. A two-way repeating system compris ing a line for transmitting complex alternating currents, a one-way repeater connected. in said line, means, exclusive of said repeater, connected to said line for altering characteristic of the energy of said currents between two spaced points in said line in accordance with the direction of the flow of said energy in said line with out disturbing the phase relations of the various frequencies of said complex currents, and means responsive to the difference between the energy at one of said points and the energy at the other of said points for controlling the pointing of said repeater.

1.8. A t'woway repeating system comprising a line for transmitting alternating current energy, a unidirectionally transmitting repeater connected in said line, an impedance connected to said line for attenuating said energy, and means connected to said line at points at opposite sides of said impedance for controlling the pointing of said repeater in accordance with the difference between the energy passing through said line at one of said points and the energy passing through said line at the other of said points.

19. A two-way repeating system comprising a line for transmitting alternating currents, a oneway repeater connected in said line, a reversing switch for reversing the pointing of said repeater, an attenuating impedance connected to said line at one side of said repeater, a winding connected to said line at the side of said impedanc remote from said repeater, a winding connected to said line between said impedance and said repeater, a second impedance c0nnected to said line at the other side of said repeater, a Winding connected to said line on th side of said second impedance remote from sad repeater, a winding con nected to said line between said second impedance and said repeater, means controlled by said first and said second windings upon alternating current energy flow through said first impedance toward said repeater for operating said reversing switch to point said repeater toward said second impedance, and means controlled by said third and fourth windings upon alternating current energy flow through said second impedance to ard said repeater for operating said reversing switch to point said repeater toward said first impedance.

20. A line for transmitting alternating currents, a unidirectional current transmit-- ting device adapted to be pointed in either direction in said line, an attenuating line section connected in said line at one side of said device, a second attenuating line section connected in said line at the other side of said device, a winding connected to said line at one side of said first attenuating line section, a second winding connected to said line at the other side of said first attenuating line section, a third winding connected to said line at one side of said second attenuating line section, a fourth winding connected to said line at the other side of said second attenuating line section, means differentially acted upon by said first and second windings to control the pointing of said device in said line and means differentially acted upon by said third and fourth windings to control the pointing of said device in said line.

21. A line for transmitting electric cur rents, a repeater therein, means connected to said line at one side only of said device for distinguishing between opposite directions of flow of energy in said line, and means controlled by said first-mentioned means for reversing the relative transmission efliciencies of said repeater for energy flowing in opposite directions in said line.

22. A line for transmitting electric currents, a repeater therein, and means for controlling the transmission efficiency of said repeater, said means comprising an impedance connected in said line for attenuating said energy and also comprising two diii erentially-acting means connected to said line for deriving energy from said line at points on opposite sides of said impedance.

A line for transmitting electric currents, a two-Way repeater therein, and means for increasing the transmitting efficiency of said repeater in one direction and decreasing the transmitting efiiciencies of said repeater in the other direction, said means comprising an attenuating line section inserted in said line, a winding connected to said line atone end of said attenuating line section, a winding connected to said line at the other end of said attenuating line section, and means differentially acted upon by said windings.

24. A circuit for transmitting alternating current energy in opposite directions, a relay having an armature, and stationary means, connected to said circuit and to said relay, whereby said relay is caused to tend to operate its armature in opposite directions in accordance with the direction of alternating current energy flow in said circuit.

25. A current path for transmitting alternating current energy in opposite directions, a relay having an armature, and circuit means whereby said relay is caused to tend to operate its armature in opposite directions in accordance with the direction of alternating current energy flow in said path, said circuit means being connected. to said path and to said relay, and said circuit means continuously preserving its state of circuit continuity.

26. A circuit "for transmitting alternating current energy in opposite directions, a relay armature, and means for operating said armature in opposite directions in accordance with said opposite directions of said ener y flow in said circuit, said means comprising means for deriving alternating current energies from different parts of said circuit, combining said derived energies and controlling said relay armature in accordance with the resultant efiect.

27. A circuit for transmitting alternating current energy in opposite directions, a uni.- directional current transmitting device connected therein, means comprising a relay armature for controlling the transmitting eficiency or said device in given direction, and means for operating said armature in opposite directions in accordance with said opposite directions of said energy flow in said circuit, said last mentioned means comprising means for deriving alternating current energies from difierent-parts of said circuit, balancing said derived energies against each other and controlling said relay armature in accordance with the resultant effect.

28. A circuit for transmitting alternating current energy in opposite directions, a uni directional current transmitting device connected therein, means comprising a relay armature for controlling the transmitting eli iciency of said device in a given direction, and means for operating said armature in opposite directions in. accordance with said opposite directions of said energy flow in said circuit, said last mentioned means comprising stationary means for deriving alternating current energies from diiterent parts of said circuit, balancing said derived energies against each other and controlling said relay armature in accordance with the re sultant eflect.

29. A circuit for transmitting alternating current energy in opposite directions, a unidirectional current transmitting device, switching means for connecting said device to said circuit means comprising a relay armature for controlling said switching means, and means for operating said armature in opposite directions in accordance with said opposite directions of said energy flow in said circuit, said last mentioned means comprising means for driving alternating current energies from difierent parts of said circuit, combining said derived energies and controlling said relay armature in accord ance with the resultant eflect.

30. The method of operating a relay a r mature selectively in accordance with opposite directions of alternating current energ flow in a circuit, which comprises deriving alternating current energies from different parts of said circuit, combining said derived energies, and controlling said armature in accordance with the resultant effect.

81. A circuit for transmitting electrical energy in opposite directions, a relay, and means comprising a network connected to said circuit, for rendering said relay selectively responsive to said opposite directions of flow of said energy regardless of impedance unbalance between said network and said circuit and provided only that the magnitude of said energy flow is sufiiciently great.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 18th day of July, A. D. 1921.

JOHN MILLS 

